Container

Abstract

A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

Claims

1. A container including a storage chamber within which is located at least one concentrated product housed; a mixing chamber coupled to the storage chamber; and a closure element, wherein the storage chamber is isolated from the mixing chamber; the mixing chamber is defined by a body having a longitudinal length defined between opposed ends and along at least a portion of the length of the mixing chamber, the body defines circular bellows, such that the mixing chamber has a collapsed configuration when the ends of the body are urged together and an expanded configuration when the ends of the body are urged apart, the bellows further including a latching arrangement which acts to latch the bellows in their collapsed configuration and/or their expanded configuration; and wherein a first end of the mixing chamber is open and is selectively closable via the closure element.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the closure element defines a well which is configured to receive a container which contains the concentrated product.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the closure element includes an internally facing surface and an externally facing surface and the well is open at the externally facing surface.

4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is detachably coupled to the storage container.

5. A container according to claim 4, wherein the mixing chamber and the storage container include a threaded coupling or a snap-fit coupling.

6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber is defined by a storage chamber body.

7. A container according to claim 6, wherein the mixing chamber defines a second end opposite to the first end, and wherein the storage chamber body is coupled to the second end of the mixing chamber.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is closed.

9. A container according to claim 7, wherein the second end of the mixing chamber is open; the mixing chamber body includes a sealing wall which closes the second end of the mixing chamber when the storage chamber body is coupled to the mixing chamber; and the storage chamber body defines a closable opening separate from the sealing wall.

10. A container according to claim 9, wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the proximal end and the sealing wall is located at the distal end.

11. A container according to claim 9, wherein the storage chamber defines a tubular side wall having a proximal end which is adjacent to the mixing chamber in use and a distal end opposite to the proximal end; and wherein the closable opening is defined at the distal end and the sealing wall is located at the proximal end.

12. A container according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber is defined within the closure element and the mixing chamber is closed at its second end.

13. A container according to claim 12, wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein a closable opening is defined in the bottom end.

14. A container according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the storage chamber extends into the mixing chamber when the closure element is coupled to the mixing chamber.

15. A container according to claim 12, wherein the closure element defines a tubular side wall having a top end and a bottom end opposite to the top end; and wherein the closable opening is defined in the top end.

16. A container according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is threadedly coupled to the mixing chamber.

17. A container according to claim 1, wherein the mixing chamber is defined by a substantially tubular body.

18. A container according to claim 1, wherein the circular bellows are defined by a series of bellows wall sections, wherein each bellows wall section includes a first wall portion and a second wall portion; the first and second wall portions are conical sections which are angled relative to each other; the first and second wall portions extend outwardly from the longitudinal axis of the mixing chamber and together define a V-shape; the connection between the first and second wall portions forms an outer return portion; and adjacent bellows wall sections are connected via inner return portions.

19. A container according to claim 18, wherein the inner return portions comprise an arcuate connecting portion.

20. A container according to claim 18, wherein the latching arrangement is formed by the second wall portion being shorter than the first wall portion in each of the bellows wall sections, whereby each inner return portion forms an over-centre arrangement in the collapsed configuration.

21. A container according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber contains one or more concentrated products, wherein each concentrated product is stored within a respective housing.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c are perspective views of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention in exploded form;

[0063] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a section of the inner and outer return portions of the mixing chamber in expanded and collapsed configurations;

[0064] FIG. 3 shows the container of FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c in a collapsed configuration;

[0065] FIG. 4 shows a container according to a second embodiment of the invention in its collapsed configuration;

[0066] FIG. 5 shows a container according to a third embodiment of the invention in its collapsed configuration;

[0067] FIGS. 6a and 6b show a container according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration;

[0068] FIG. 7 shows the container of FIGS. 6a and 6b in its collapsed configuration;

[0069] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a container according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration;

[0070] FIG. 9 shows a container according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration;

[0071] FIG. 10 shows the container of FIG. 9 in its collapsed configuration;

[0072] FIG. 11 shows a container according to a seventh embodiment of the invention in an expanded configuration; and

[0073] FIG. 12 shows the container of FIG. 11 in its collapsed configuration.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0074] For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms up, down, front, rear, upper, lower, width, etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

[0075] FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c show a container 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The container comprises a mixing chamber 4 (shown in FIG. 1a) which is generally tubular in shape and which is open at both ends 6, 8. The mixing chamber 4 is blow-molded from a polymeric material. The mixing chamber 4 includes a central circular bellows 10, wherein the circular bellows 10 is formed from a number of bellows wall sections, which, in turn are formed from first conical wall portions 12, second conical wall portions 14 and outer return portions 16. The length of the first conical wall portions 12 is greater than the length of the second conical wall portions 14.

[0076] Each bellows wall section is connected to adjacent or neighbouring bellows wall sections via respective inner return portions 18. The bellows wall sections are shown in more detail in FIG. 2a. The inner return portions 18 include a semi-circular connecting portion, which prevents or minimises the deformation of the polymeric material beyond its elastic limit.

[0077] FIG. 1b shows a detachable closure element 20 in the form of a screw-on lid. The lid includes a downwardly extending skirt 22, which defines a threaded portion (not shown) on the inwardly facing wall of the skirt 22. The top end 6 of the mixing chamber 4 carries a complementary threaded portion 24, such that the closure element 20 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the open top end 6 of the mixing chamber 4.

[0078] FIG. 1c shows a storage chamber defined by a storage chamber body 26. The storage chamber body 26 includes a cylindrical side wall 28, a closed bottom wall (not shown) and an upwardly extending skirt 30. The skirt 30 defines a threaded portion (not shown) on its inwardly facing wall. The bottom end 8 of the mixing chamber 4 carries a complementary threaded portion 32, such that the storage chamber body 26 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the open bottom end 8 of the mixing chamber 4. A top wall of the storage chamber body 26 defines an opening 33 to provide access to the interior of the storage chamber, and the opening 33 is closed via a removable sealing film 34. The sealing film 34 is adhered or welded to a peripheral portion of the top wall which defines the opening 33.

[0079] The container 2 is assembled by screwing the storage chamber body 26 to the open bottom end 8 of the mixing chamber 4 and by screwing the closure element 20 to the open top end of the mixing chamber 4. A concentrated product (not shown), for example a flavoured powder for forming a flavoured drink, is located within the sealed storage chamber 26.

[0080] FIG. 2a shows a section of the circular bellows 10 in an expanded configuration. As can be seen, the angle between the first conical wall portion 12 and the second conical wall portion 14 at the outer return portion 16 is about 90. As the second conical wall portion 14 is shorter than the first conical wall portion 12, the angle between adjacent second conical wall portions 14 and first conical wall portions 12 at the inner return portion 18 is about 80.

[0081] FIG. 2b shows the over-centre arrangement of the first and second wall portions 12, 14 in the collapsed configuration. The dashed line A in FIGS. 2a and 2b projects through a common point (an outer return portion 16). As can be seen in FIG. 2b, both of the inner return portions 18 are displaced vertically upwards as the mixing chamber 4 is collapsed until both of these inner return portions are located above the dashed line A. The displacement of the inner return portion 18 such that it lies outside of the cylindrical region defined between the two adjacent outer return portions 16 is referred to herein as an over-centre arrangement. Such an arrangement generates a latching force at each of the inner return portions 18 which are greater than the restorative forces that are stored in the return portions when the mixing chamber 4 is collapsed. Accordingly, the latching forces resist or prevent the expansion of the mixing chamber towards is expanded configuration.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows the container 2 in its collapsed configuration. This is the typical configuration for storage or transportation of the container 2. Starting from this configuration, the user first unscrews the storage chamber body 26 from the mixing chamber 4. This releases the air tight seal between the storage chamber body 26 and the mixing chamber 4 and prevents the generation of a partial vacuum within the mixing chamber during expansion. The mixing chamber is then expanded by urging the two end 6, 8 apart. Once expanded, the sealing film 34 is removed to expose the powdered concentrate product located within the storage chamber. The storage chamber body 26 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber 4. The closure element 20 is then unscrewed from the top 6 of the mixing chamber 4 and a diluent (such as water) is added to the mixing chamber via the open end 6 of the mixing chamber 4. The closure element 20 is then screwed back onto the top end 6 of the mixing chamber 4 and the concentrated powdered product is mixed with the diluent, for example with agitation or shaking. The circular bellows arrangement aids with the mixing of the concentrated powdered product and the diluent.

[0083] The skilled person will appreciate that the concentrated product within the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body 26 may be in the form of a liquid, paste or gel, instead of a powder.

[0084] FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the invention in which the mixing chamber 4 and the closure element 20 are as described above in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3, but the storage chamber is different.

[0085] In FIG. 4, a storage chamber body 40 includes a cylindrical side wall 42, an upwardly extending skirt 44, and a closed, gas-tight and liquid-tight top wall 46. A bottom wall 48 of the storage chamber body 40 defines an opening 50 and includes a detachable base 52 which is arranged to form a snap-fit with the bottom wall 48. In this way, the opening may be selectively closed or opened via the detachable base 52. To ease removal, the detachable base 52 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit a downward force to be exerted on the detachable base 52.

[0086] As the detachable base 52 does not form a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal with the bottom wall 48, the concentrated product is located within a separate sealed housing 54 which includes an opening at its upper end that is sealed with a sealing film 56.

[0087] FIG. 5 shows a similar arrangement to that shown in FIG. 4 and described above, except that the cylindrical side wall is longer and a plurality of sealed housings 60 containing separate concentrated products are located within the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body. In this embodiment, the concentrated products in the sealed housings 60 may be the same or different. All other features of the storage chamber body are as described above in connection with FIG. 4.

[0088] In order to use the container 2 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the user removes the closure element from the top of the mixing chamber and expands the mixing chamber as described above. The detachable base is then removed from bottom wall and the or one of the individually sealed housings are removed from the storage chamber. The sealing film is then removed from the housing and the concentrated product is emptied into the mixing chamber. A diluent, such as water is then added to the mixing chamber, the closure element is then screwed back onto the top open end of the mixing chamber and the concentrated product mixed with the diluent.

[0089] The skilled person will appreciate that in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the diluent may be added to the mixing chamber first and the concentrated product added to the diluent in the mixing chamber.

[0090] FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7 show a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a container 102 includes a closure element 120, which in turn includes a storage chamber body 126. In this embodiment, the container 102 further includes a mixing chamber 104 comprising an open top end 106, a closed bottom end 108 and a circular bellows 110 as described above in connection with the circular bellows 10.

[0091] The closure element 120 includes an upper element body 120a from which the storage chamber body 126 depends. From around the periphery of the upper element body 120a depends a skirt 122, which defines a threaded portion 122a on the inwardly facing wall of the skirt 122.

[0092] The top end 106 of the mixing chamber 104 carries a threaded portion 124 which is complementary to the threaded portion 122a of the closure element 120.

[0093] The storage chamber body 126 is open at its bottom end and includes a sealing film 134 adhered to or welded to the storage chamber body which maintains the concentrated product within the storage chamber defined within the storage chamber body 126.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows the container 102 in its collapsed configuration. It will be noted that in this configuration, the storage chamber body 126 is located within the mixing chamber 104.

[0095] In use, a user follows similar steps to this described above. The closure element 120 is first unscrewed from the open top end 106 of the mixing chamber 104 and the circular bellows of the mixing chamber are urged into their expanded configuration. The sealing film 134 is removed from the bottom of the storage chamber body 126 and the concentrated product is mixed with a diluent within the mixing chamber 104 and agitated after the closure element 120 has been screwed back onto the open top 106 of the mixing chamber 104.

[0096] FIGS. 8a and 8b show a further embodiment of the invention, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, except that mixing chamber is closed at its bottom end. Thus, FIGS. 8a and 8b show a container 202 which includes a mixing chamber 204 that is open at its top end 206 and closed at its bottom end 208 with a sealing wall 208a.

[0097] The top end 206 of the mixing chamber 204 carries a threaded element 224 and a closure element (not shown) is provided which is the same as described above in connection with FIG. 1b.

[0098] The mixing chamber includes circular bellows 210 which are as described above in connection with FIGS. 1a, 2a and 2b.

[0099] The storage chamber of this embodiment is similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 5, except that the storage chamber is closed at its bottom end and open at its top end. Accordingly, the container 202 includes a storage chamber body 240 which includes a cylindrical body 242 which is closed at its bottom end 248 and open at its top end 246. On an inwardly facing surface of the top end 246 is carried a threaded element 244.

[0100] The threaded element 244 threaded engages with a corresponding threaded element 232 carried by a lower portion of the mixing chamber 204.

[0101] The storage chamber includes a plurality of sealed housings 254, each of which is sealed via a respective sealing film 256. A concentrated product is located within each of the housings. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

[0102] In this embodiment, the storage chamber body 240 need simply be unscrewed from the mixing chamber 204 and one of the housings 254 removed from the storage chamber. The concentrated product located within the housing may then be mixed with a diluent as described above.

[0103] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the invention which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7.

[0104] In this embodiment, a mixing chamber is provided which is identical to the mixing chamber 104 described above in connection with FIGS. 6a, 6b and 7. In order to close the open top end of the mixing chamber 104, a closure element 320 is provided.

[0105] The closure element 320 includes a circular top wall 320a and a skirt 322 which depends downwards from a peripheral edge portion of the top wall 320a. The skirt 322 carries a threaded element 322a.

[0106] A storage chamber body 326 depends downwards from a central portion of the top wall 320a. The storage chamber body 326 comprises a cylindrical wall 328 which is closed at its bottom by a sealing wall 330. The storage chamber body 326 is open at its top end 332. The opening is selectively closed by a snap-fit lid 334, which forms a snap fit with the circular top wall 320a. As noted above, the snap-fit lid 334 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit an upward force to be exerted on the snap-fit lid 334 in order to remove it.

[0107] As with the preceding embodiment, the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body includes a plurality of sealed housings 354, each of which is sealed via a respective sealing film 356.

[0108] A concentrated product is located within each of the housings. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

[0109] As can be seen from FIG. 10, when the closure element 320 is screwed on the top end of the mixing chamber 104, the storage chamber body 326 is located within the mixing chamber 104. This results in a very compact configuration in the collapsed configuration.

[0110] A user uses the container in much the same way as described above: the snap-fit lid 334 is removed and one of the housings 354 is removed from the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body 326. The snap-fit lid 334 is then replaced. The closure element 320 is unscrewed from the mixing chamber 104 and the concentrated product from the housing 354 and a diluent are added to the mixing chamber 104. The closure element 320 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber and the concentrated product is mixed with the diluent.

[0111] A final embodiment is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, which is similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c and 3.

[0112] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a container 402. The container 402 comprises a mixing chamber 404 which is identical to the mixing chamber 4 shown in FIG. 1a and which is open at both ends 406, 408.

[0113] The container 402 further includes a closure element 420 in the form of a screw-on lid. The lid 420 includes a downwardly extending skirt 422, which defines a threaded portion (not shown) on the inwardly facing wall of the skirt 422. The top end 406 of the mixing chamber 404 carries a complementary threaded portion 424, such that the closure element 420 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the open top end 406 of the mixing chamber 404.

[0114] The container 402 also includes a storage chamber defined by a storage chamber body 426. The storage chamber body 426 includes a base portion 427 upwardly from which extends a cylindrical storage portion formed from a cylindrical side wall 428, which has a closed top 428a and an open bottom 428b. Upwardly extending from a peripheral edge portion of the base portion 427 is a skirt 430. The skirt 430 carries a threaded portion 430a on its inwardly facing wall. The bottom end 408 of the mixing chamber 404 carries a complementary threaded portion 432, such that the storage chamber body 426 may be screwed onto or unscrewed from the open bottom end 408 of the mixing chamber 404.

[0115] The storage chamber body 426 further includes a snap-fit plug 452 which selectively closes or opens the open bottom end 428b of the cylindrical storage portion. As noted above, the snap-fit plug 452 may include a circular aperture through which a user's finger may be located to permit an downward force to be exerted on the snap-fit plug 452 in order to remove it.

[0116] As with the preceding embodiment, the storage chamber defined by the storage chamber body 426 includes a plurality of sealed housings 454, each of which is sealed via a respective sealing film 456. A concentrated product is located within each of the housings 454. The skilled person will appreciate that instead of the housings comprising relatively rigid bodies closed with sealing films, the housings may instead comprise sachets which contain the concentrated product.

[0117] The container 402 is assembled by screwing the storage chamber body 426 to the open bottom end 408 of the mixing chamber 404 and by screwing the closure element 420 to the open top end 406 of the mixing chamber 404.

[0118] As can be seen from FIG. 12, when the storage chamber body 426 is screwed on the bottom end 408 of the mixing chamber 404, the cylindrical storage portion is located within the mixing chamber 404. This results in a very compact configuration in the collapsed configuration.

[0119] A user uses the container in much the same way as described above: the snap-fit plug 452 is removed and one of the housings 354 is removed from the cylindrical storage portion. The snap-fit plug 452 is then replaced. The closure element 420 is unscrewed from the mixing chamber 404 and the concentrated product from the housing 454 and a diluent are added to the mixing chamber 404. The closure element 420 is then screwed back onto the mixing chamber and the concentrated product is mixed with the diluent.

[0120] It will be noted that the storage chamber body 426 need not be unscrewed from the mixing chamber 404 in order to use the container 402 in this embodiment.